Ensembles - Buy As You View Band

Buy As You View Band

David became principal euphonium of the Buy As You View Band in the summer of 2002 having moved down to Wales earlier that year. He has always enjoyed playing in brass bands and commented, "The brass band is the only ensemble, including the wind orchestra that gives a euphonium player a real workout in my opinion. Traditionally the euphonium is a versatile member of the brass band - It can be used to enhance the bass line, carry beautiful melodic lines, execute technical passages with clarity and precision or as an outright soloist. These reasons alone make playing with a top class brass band an experience for any euphonium player to relish, but coupled with the musical satisfaction gained from performing alongside highly talented musicians and friends (in some cases members of my own family!) playing with the Buy As You View Band is a real pleasure." David's father Robert is the band's Principal Conductor And Music Director, his sister Lisa is a member of the cornet section and his girlfriend Joanne is the band's flugel horn player.

About the band...The band was formed in 1884 and bore the name Ton Temperance Band. In 1895 they were engaged to play at the opening ceremony of Gelli Colliery Library. Sir Clifford Cory, Chairman of Cory Brothers heard the band and offered to provide financial assistance for them. In 1920 the band gained championship status and three years later achieved the distinction of performing what is believed to have been the first radio broadcast by a brass band. A significant honour was bestowed on the band in 1976 when they were chosen to represent Wales and the Brass Band Movement on a tour of the USA as part of their bicentennial celebrations.

In 1984, the band's centenary year, they won the third in a hat-trick of National titles at the Royal Albert Hall, London. The band also has a European title to its credit. The culmination of their contest successes came in 2000 when they won both the British Open and the National Championships in the same year. It was the first time in the 148-year history of the British Open for the shield to travel to Wales. This was repeated in 2002.

The band has developed musically outside of the contest field over the last four years. In 2001 they were appointed 'Band in residence' at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Cardiff and in the same year appointed Dr John Pickard as their 'Composer in residence.'

In 1998 Just Rentals a locally based company agreed to support the band, resulting in it being known as the 'Just Rentals' Cory Band. Just Rentals changed their name to Buy As You View to reflect the developments in their business and with this the band became known as the 'Buy As You View' Cory Band. In 2004 Cory was dropped from the band's name. In appreciation of the continued support from their sponsor the band is now known as the Buy As You View Band and is currently (February 2005) ranked Number 1 in the official brass band World Rankings.